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Excel Fundamentals

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Education & Training with Tech Training for You!

In last week's ActiveRain zoom, we showed a couple different case studies to illustrate how using a spreadsheet could be a very useful tool. I have recorded one of the case studies, "Shopping for a Laptop" so that you can playback the tutorial when you have a little time to watch. The video tutorial is 20 minutes long.

In this video tutorial, we look at some very useful Excel essentials. 

After we fill in the item description and price, then we look at how to add the sales tax. This requires using a formula. Don't worry, it's very easy once you see how. In formulas, we can add/subtract/multiply and divide to get results.

In the case of sales tax, we'll create a formula to multiply the price times the sales tax rate.

Once you have the formula created, you can quickly replicate it to the other adjacent cells by dragging the cell by the fill handle. That's the square in the lower right hand corner of a cell.

excel fill handle to copy formula

Besides that, we'll look at hyperlinking inside of the spreadsheet so that you can bookmark the shopping pages that you want to come back to later.

Finally you may learn a thing or two about shopping for a new computer. I show you my own setup and why I chose the components I did.
(NOTE: in the video one of the components we look at is a laptop stand. I see in hindsight, the page I was looking at was for laptops up to 14" and so may not be a good choice for the 15" laptop, so you'd want to make a different size choice if you are actually shopping for one.)

Here's the video (pro tip: after starting the video, you can press the F key if you want to view fullscreen). I hope you learn something new today! Leave me a comment (and a like) if you do!

Please also be sure and subscribe to my YouTube channel!

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Craig Daniels
This blog is all about technology and helping you to use it smarter! Your digital footprint is your chance to attract new clients. What kind of impression are you making via your website, blog, and social media? We’ll be talking about that! Are you as productive as you can be? What apps might help you out? Do you know how to use all the best tools inside the apps? I enjoy photography and videography, you can expect to see those topics also on this blog.
Are you ready to learn?
Welcome to Craig’s Classroom!

PS - get ready for some homework… :) 

Comments(20)

Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Craig Daniels ,

You are so generous with your time and knowledge. ANYTHING you share with us helps us to get smarter! Thank you!!!

Jun 10, 2023 12:59 PM
Craig Daniels

Dorie Dillard Austin TX - thanks! I know you were in the zoom the other day. I took this recording on a couple different tangents. Hope you find it useful when you watch it!

Jun 10, 2023 03:10 PM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

I don't even begin to scratch the full use of Excel's capabilities, but learning Pivot tables years ago has really come in handy!

Jun 10, 2023 02:42 PM
Craig Daniels

I got people at my office hooked on pivot tables when we are summarizing large sets of data, aren't they great?! Charts also tell a story that you can't see otherwise. Check out my scatter chart of posts over the years. It may look random at first glance but there are some interesting patterns, do you see them? Liz and Bill Spear 

Jun 10, 2023 03:12 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Old AR had a lot more clout than modern AR.

Jun 10, 2023 03:18 PM
Craig Daniels

statistically seems so

Jun 11, 2023 10:09 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

You are so free with your technical assistance and make AR better for it as well.

Jun 10, 2023 03:56 PM
Craig Daniels

I'm glad to make a difference. thanks Ed Silva 

Jun 11, 2023 10:09 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Craig thank you for putting these tips in a blog.  I use Excel often and these tips are very useful.

Jun 10, 2023 04:20 PM
Craig Daniels

glad to hear that George Souto - should I do some more excel tips?

Jun 11, 2023 10:10 AM
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

Thanks Craig Daniels, I enjoyed your very informative Zoom on Tuesday!

Jun 10, 2023 06:19 PM
Craig Daniels

glad you were able to join the zoom Buzz Mackintosh - this new recording helps anyone rewind as needed as well as those who could not join

Jun 11, 2023 10:11 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Craig,
Thanks. I need to be doing a spreadsheet this week. This is a good refresher.

Jun 10, 2023 06:19 PM
Craig Daniels

excel-lent!! you are spreadsheet primed! thanks Carol Williams 

Jun 11, 2023 10:11 AM
Adam Feinberg
Elegran - Manhattan, NY
NYC Condo, Co-op, and Townhouse Advisor

Great post. I used to live and breathe Excel in my prior career- pivot tables, vlookups, if/then, etc. As a real estate agent, I still use some of these mid level excel functions, but no where near the frequency that I used to. 

Jun 10, 2023 06:25 PM
Craig Daniels

wow. nice excel experience Adam Feinberg - it's nice to pull the other tools and functions out of the hat when you need them. very powerful at whatever level we are able to use it. thanks

Jun 11, 2023 10:13 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Thanks for sharing your tech knowledge, Craig. Some of this is new to me! Bookmarked.

Jeff

Jun 10, 2023 07:43 PM
Craig Daniels

I'm glad you saw the post Jeff Dowler, CRS - I wanted the recording to be available to whoever couldn't make the zoom. thanks!

Jun 11, 2023 10:13 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Thank you for always having my back and giving us so much great stuff! Love and light and all the best!

Jun 10, 2023 11:18 PM
Craig Daniels

=SQRT(A1^2+B1^2) it's a journey Laura Cerrano 

Jun 11, 2023 10:20 AM
Charles Ross - eXp Realty LLC
eXp Realty LLC Salina Group - Salina, KS
Love To Help People

Thank you for sharing the training. Have a wonderful day and a blessed weekend.

Jun 11, 2023 05:01 AM
Craig Daniels

Hope you saw something interesting, thanks Charles Ross - (785)-819-6944 

Jun 11, 2023 10:21 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I use spreadsheets quite often and was surprised by how easy it was to transition from excel to google sheets.

Jun 11, 2023 05:18 AM
Craig Daniels

Thankfully they share a common language Brian England so we can switch back and forth (sheets would have had a quick life span if it didn't match. excel also followed from its predecessors like lotus 1-2-3)

Jun 11, 2023 10:22 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Craig Daniels - This will be a good review for me. Thank you!!!

Jun 11, 2023 05:19 AM
Craig Daniels

I hope you like the video Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP 

Jun 11, 2023 10:22 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Thanks, Craig, for this update to your presentation. I've saved it. And thanks for always being ready to help us here in the Rain.

Jun 11, 2023 06:20 AM
Craig Daniels

I thought this was a good one to post the recording for. People can go back and review as necessary. Thanks Nina Hollander, Broker 

Jun 11, 2023 10:23 AM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Thje later version of excel has way too many options.  Prefer to do it the older way.

Jun 11, 2023 09:12 AM
Craig Daniels

how old do you want to go? Sam Shueh 
JK 😄- excel can be as simple or complex as you want it to be

Jun 11, 2023 10:24 AM
Ginger Harper
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage~ Ginger Harper Real Estate Team - Southport, NC
Your Southport~Oak Island Agent~Brunswick County!

I need to take another class in excel.  It is such a powerful program.

 

Jun 12, 2023 10:44 AM
Craig Daniels

If you search for excel fundamentals on youtube, you are bound to find a ton of great (yet short) instructional videos. Time well spent! Ginger Harper 

Jun 17, 2023 09:13 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Thank you for not only being a possessor of knowledge but for sharing your information with us.

Jun 14, 2023 08:41 AM
Craig Daniels

I enjoy being a catalyst for helping people dig deeper! thanks Dr. Paula McDonald 

Jun 17, 2023 09:14 AM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Craig, I always come back to learn from you!  I hope you do another one on Realtor shopping for laptops...since shopping month of August is arriving soon.  Also, is Windows 11 that different to use than 10?  I hear that all are coming with 11 on pc's and Microsoft is not supporting windoes 10  by 2025...thoughts?  ty Ginny Gorman

Jun 18, 2023 08:46 AM
Craig Daniels

You should get windows 11 now since the end of support for windows 10 is coming 2025. All interface changes are small and easy to learn on the step up. Laptop prices seem quite reasonable right now and hopefully will stay that way. If you have any laptops in your sights and want a 2nd opinion, just message me for feedback Ginny Gorman 

Jun 18, 2023 10:13 AM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond
Thank you Craig!
Jun 18, 2023 12:46 PM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Great post!  Thanks for sharing and enjoy your day!

Jun 29, 2023 07:45 AM
Charles Ross - eXp Realty LLC
eXp Realty LLC Salina Group - Salina, KS
Love To Help People

Excellent post.Thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful day and a blessed week

Sep 13, 2023 03:57 AM